Bob Ryder, the founder of 1Wrestling.com and IMPACT Wrestling Executive, has passed away after a long battle with cancer.
According to PWInsider, Ryder lived well beyond the 3 to 6 months he was initially told he had left. The cancer had went into remission. However, it returned. Ryder was undergoing weekly chemotherapy.
Ryder did his work for IMPACT Wrestling from his home in Nashville, TN while undergoing chemotherapy. He also worked IMPACT’s Director of Travel Operations.
It is being said that Ryder was found at home this morning, but had last been in contact with IMPACT Wrestling last night.
According to F4WOnline, Ryder suffered a fall yesterday and was unable to get up. It was said he apparently had sent texts that he was okay. But after that, no phone calls or text messages to him were answered. The company sent someone who knew him to his home and knocked on the door and got no response. They then called police and found that he had passed away.
Ryder was one of the longest employees for IMPACT Wrestling. He was also considered a pioneer in the Internet Wrestling Community, hosting the first-ever online WWE chat during WrestleMania X1.
Ryder also worked for WCW by helping with their website and hosting WCW Live with Jeremy Borash.
From entire staff at Wrestleview, we send our thoughts, prayers and condolences to the family and friends of Bob Ryder during this difficult and sad time.